Columbia
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Goose Lake (Pond) is a 73-acre internally drained wetland/lake complex with a mean depth of three feet. Historically, the lake received effluent from the Arlington wastewater treatment plant and canning wastewater from Del Monte. These inputs plus agricultural runoff affect the lake's quality. The Madison Audubon Society (MAS) owns 174 acres adjacent to the pond, 19 of which were agricultural acres that have been converted back to wetland with a system of berms. MAS has also developed the Tall Grass Prairie Restoration Project near the pond, which contributes to the area's habitat diversity. Numerous waterfowl use this shallow lake and wetland complex, including Tundra Swan, Canvasback, Canadian Geese, and even, on 1995, White Pelican (WDNR 1996). Audubon and other organizations are leading watershed improvement projects including an 80-acre tall grass prairie restoration, a 19-acre wetland restoration and a 4.5-acre wetland restoration (Sorge).
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Source: 1965, Surface Water Resources of Columbia County Goose Lake, T10N, R9, 10E, Sections 25, 19 Surface Acres = 72.8, S.D.F. = 1.24, Maximum Depth = 3 feet.
A small landlocked lake in a marshy basin in the ground moraine. The lake is presently split by a town road on the north-south section line. The water is generally turbid and "hard" with an exceptionally high conductance. Cannery waste drainage no doubt contributes to the high specific conductance. In midsummer during cannery operations the chloride content of these waters become excessively high. The lake suffers from annual winterkill, fluctuating water levels, and possibly pollution. In a recent year, following mild winter conditions, bullheads survived successfully and provided a fishery. Public access is possible from the town road. The lake provides some rare opportunities to observe large numbers of swans and geese in spring.
Date 1965
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
| Project Name (Click for Details) | Year Started |
|---|
|
|
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 776000 | Goose Lake | 10001186 | Goose Lake | 7/27/1999 | 8/29/2011 | Map | Data |
| 776000 | Goose Lake | 113092 | Goose Pond - - | 11/10/1994 | 11/10/1994 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
Goose Lake is located in the Yahara River and Lake Mendota watershed which is 112.56 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (65.30%), grassland (9.80%) and a mix of suburban (9.50%) and other uses (15.40%). This watershed has 107.14 stream miles, 385.75 lake acres and 5,200.97 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.